Hidden in Dreams by Davis Bunn

Hidden in Dreams by Davis Bunn
Publisher:  Howard Books
Publication Date:  July 3rd 2012
ISBN:  1416556729
Genre:  FICTION/Christian/Suspense

Book Synopsis:  In the exciting sequel to Book of Dreams from bestselling author Davis Bunn, Elena Burroughs is attacked by dreams for which she has only one explanation: they are not her own.Elena Burroughs finds her life spiraling out of control. She is dismissed from her position as psychologist at the Oxford University clinic. And the man she hoped she might love is lost to the demands of new work in a distant land. Elena accepts her agent’s request for another world tour, resulting in a huge rush of new publicity and some very public conflict with established authorities.     Rachel, a clinical biologist and statistician, approaches Elena for help with the disturbing dreams of one of her patients. Oddly, they mirror Rachel’s research findings about a dream pattern that has foretold every major global catastrophe stretching back to the dawn of civilization.     That night Elena has precisely the same dream as Rachel’s patient, predicting a cataclysmic financial collapse far worse than what brought on the Great Depression. She searches the professional websites and discovers that her most vehement critic has a client experiencing the same repetitive dreams. Together, they form an unlikely alliance, one that threatens to pierce Elena’s emotional isolation.    All the while, the clock is ticking down to devastation. It’s no longer about the dreams. It’s about survival.

My Thoughts:  AMAZING!  This book is soooooo good.  I honestly got more than I had hoped for with this one!! When I first picked up this book for review, I did not realize that it was a second book in a series.  Now, I was more than able to keep up with what was going on, but I know that I would have had an even better time reading it if I had read the first book.  I also know that I will be picking up the first book, Book of Dreams, as soon as I can!!


The build up and intensity of the writing is something you rarely find!  This kind of suspense is what makes reading a pleasure!  Davis Bunn is a remarkable author who knows just how to grab a reader and keep them enthralled!  The content of Hidden in Dreams is so complex, yet so what the reader needs in order to get the plot.  I loved how Bunn intertwined the characters' Christian faith with the scientific facts, economic issues, and notion of foretelling.  These elements combined to create a very compelling, almost frightening, thought-provoking tale.


If I would not read another book this summer, I know that Hidden Dreams has provided me with far more than I ever get out of most summer reads!  I am going to be telling everyone about his one!!


*I received a free copy of this book from Howard Books, for my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

About the author:  Davis Bunn is an internationally-acclaimed author who has sold more than six million books in sixteen languages. Honored with three Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, his bestsellers include; The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was named Novelist in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.


Also writes under the name T. Davis Bunn and Thomas Locke.


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Cottage By the Sea by Robin Jones Gunn

Cottage by the Sea by Robin Jones Gunn

Publisher:  Howard Books

Publication Date:  July 3rd 2012

ISBN:  1416583459

Genre:  FICTION/Christian/General/Contemporary Women

Book Synopsis:  From bestselling and award-winning author Robin Jones Gunn—a poignant novel about a woman who must care for her ill and elderly father, hoping to mend both his health and their relationship.Erin’s new business as a wedding planner is running at full speed and her empty nest years are full of promise when she receives a call that puts everything on hold: her estranged father has had a stroke. The twinkle is fading from Jack O’Riley’s Irish eyes and his calloused second wife leaves, making it clear this is not what she signed up for.     Suddenly Erin’s visit to her father’s cottage by the sea is extended indefinitely. At first the task before her is as daunting as the wild Oregon coast that has become her unwanted second home. Yet in the many hours she spends beside her ailing father, Erin finds a treasure hidden in the darkness. She reaches out and, at long last, receives the gift of healing.

My Thoughts:  A very beautifully written faith- and family-based novel that will touch any reader's heart.

On the day that Erin begins her much anticipated wedding-planning business, she receives a call that her father has suffered a stroke.  Throughout the novel, Erin is faced with many decisions that she has to balance between heart and mind - some that could affect her blossoming business. She has a very loving and supportive family that is there for her when she needs them, allowing her the space to make the decisions she needs.

While reading this book, I felt like I was wrapped up in a nice warm blanket, sitting on the coast with Erin.  The only thing that was ever harsh about this story was the weather at times.  Although Erin and her father had been estranged, their reunion was a blessing.  Erin may have felt uneasy with her step-mother, but she takes that relationship with the best interest and needs of her father.  There are some very interesting and surprising twists along the way with this relationship.

While Erin had many ups and downs emotionally and with her business, the outcomes were very pleasant.  Every time she was faced with a difficult situation or decision, she would call upon her memories of her mother, a woman of strong faith.  I found those strong connections with her mother to be very heart-warming.  With these memories of her mother, and the other memories of her childhood -including those of her father, the reader got a nice glimpse of Erin's childhood - all of which played an important role in the decisions she was now expected to make.

I found the Irish blessings that introduced the chapters to be quite beautiful and very well selected for each one.  I found myself making note of some of them, as I hope to recall them later.

I looked upon this story as a welcoming friend.  I hated to part with it when I was finished.  Robin Jones Gunn definitely knows how to write a novel that will bring you repeatedly back to find more from her.

About the Author:  Robin’s first grade teacher wrote on her report card, “Robin keeps the entire class entertained at rug time with her stories.”

Even with such an early affirmation, Robin didn’t think much about becoming a writer during high school or college. She was more intrigued by the idea of traveling to foreign lands and telling people about God’s love.

But Robin’s husband also noticed her gift for storytelling and urged her to attend a writers’ conference. That first conference, in 1979, opened the door for publication of devotions, articles, interviews and 14 children’s books.

When her two children were young, Robin would rise at 3 a.m. and brew a pot of tea. Then she would go to work, creating stories for teens that later became the Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, and College Years books.

Robin’s first novel was published in 1988, and she has continued to write between two to five books a year. Her 63 published books include 47 novels, all of which are still in print. Sales of her popular Christy Miller Series, Glenbrooke Series and Sisterchicks Series are approaching four million copies sold, with translations in nine languages.

Robin’s passion for storytelling and travel are evident in all her books, especially the Sisterchicks novels, and she has received thousands of letters from readers around the world who have come to know Christ through her writing. She sees this as her dream come true. Her novels are traveling to foreign lands and her characters are doing what she always longed to do; telling people about God’s love.

Book Beginnings & Friday 56: Cottage By the Sea

Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader.  The object is to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice - Turn to page 56, pick a sentence, and post it.  Simple as that!!!   


Cottage by the Sea by Robin Jones Gunn

Publisher:  Howard Books

Publication Date:  July 3rd 2012

ISBN:  1416583459

Genre:  FICTION/Christian/General/Contemporary Women

Book Synopsis:  From bestselling and award-winning author Robin Jones Gunn—a poignant novel about a woman who must care for her ill and elderly father, hoping to mend both his health and their relationship.Erin’s new business as a wedding planner is running at full speed and her empty nest years are full of promise when she receives a call that puts everything on hold: her estranged father has had a stroke. The twinkle is fading from Jack O’Riley’s Irish eyes and his calloused second wife leaves, making it clear this is not what she signed up for.     Suddenly Erin’s visit to her father’s cottage by the sea is extended indefinitely. At first the task before her is as daunting as the wild Oregon coast that has become her unwanted second home. Yet in the many hours she spends beside her ailing father, Erin finds a treasure hidden in the darkness. She reaches out and, at long last, receives the gift of healing.

The Beginning:

Erin Bryce pulled up her russet-colored hair in a clip and followed her husband out to the driveway of their Southern California, ranch-style home.

My First Impression: 

I love books with an Irish background.  This one sounds like it would be a very relaxing, comfortable beginning to my summer!!

Friday 56: 

"Of course that's what you were thinking.  That's what anyone who loves another person should be thinking at a time like that."

The Secret Keeper

The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr (Tudor-set series #2) by Sandra Byrd

Publisher:  Howard Books

Publication Date:  June 5th 2012

ISBN:  1439183147

Genre:  Historical Fiction / Romance

Synopsis:  What she sees in secret, she may not tell.  Mistress Juliana St. John is the lovely, forthright daughter of a prosperous knight’s family. Though all expect her to marry the son of her late father’s business partner, time and chance interrupt, sending her to the sumptuous but deceptive court of Henry VIII.

     Sir Thomas Seymour, brother of the late Queen Jane, returns to Wiltshire to conclude his affairs with Juliana’s father’s estate and chances upon her reading as lector in the local church. He sees instantly that she would fit into the household of the woman he loves and wants most to please, Kateryn Parr. Juliana’s mother agrees to have her placed with Parr for a season and Juliana goes, though reluctantly.  For she keeps a secret.

     As Juliana accompanies Kateryn Parr to court, Henry’s devout sixth queen raises the stakes for all reformers. Support of firebrand Anne Askew puts the queen and her ladies in life-threatening jeopardy, as does the queen’s desire to influence her husband’s—and the realm’s—direction and beliefs. Later, without Henry’s strong arm, the court devolves to competition, duplicity, and betrayal. The risks could not be higher as Juliana must choose between love and honor, personal fulfillment and sacrifice. Ultimately, her course is driven by a final kept secret, one that undoes everything she thought she knew.

About the Author:   Sandra Byrd has published more than three dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including the first book in her Tudor series, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. For more than a decade Sandra has shared her secrets with the many new writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington, area with her husband and two children. For more Tudor tidbits, please visit www.sandrabyrd.com.


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My Thoughts:  This book has everything that I love about historical fiction / romance novels!  Sandra Byrd is now one of my favorite authors!  I absolutely loved her writing style - so very easy to read.  She has an obvious expertise in the Tudor time period.  The book was so rich in historical facts, but not so much that it took away from the narrative.  I have not read the first book in this series, but I know now that I will - as a matter of fact, I just ordered it!!!


Juliana St. John is a fascinating heroine.  I loved that the author did not paint her to be perfect - rather showing her flaws / weaknesses.  Juliana had the gift of prophesy, which was very dangerous in this time period.  She had her share of both friends - some of which were quite controversial -  and enemies - adding to the danger.  Juliana became part of Kateryn Parr's household, prior to her becoming queen.  During this time, Juliana became close friends and confidant to Kateryn.  This allowed Juliana to take part in most everything - even the most intimate events.  Such detail was provided throughout for the characters and events that I often felt as if I were actually there - taking part!  The imagery was amazing!


I fell in love with both Juliana and Kateryn.  Both women were very generous in character, in ways beyond wealth.  It was a shame that not everyone loved them - although many did.  Their relationship was very complex, and so different than the bitter, jealous women of that time.  The love interests of both women were very intriguing.  The motives behind the interests in these men, quite captivating.  There is definitely no comparison to today's world - quite a difference.  There is an obvious difference in the roles of women at the time, no matter what your status.


I must say that I have learned quite a bit about Henry VIII.  I had learned a lot in school about him, but this put a new perspective on the time and person - and the novel was quite accurate to any of the historical accounts that had ever read or been exposed to.  Kateryn's love, Sir Thomas Seymour, sure had some ups and downs.  I both loved and hated him.  The plot twists involving him and Juliana were quite surprising!!!


I was immediately attracted to Juliana's love interest, Jamie.  Although at first, I was not sure they would have a chance, he was very persistent.  The romantic story-line the author created was very enjoyable.


This is a very cleanly and accuratley written historical fiction, that I would would recommend to anyone who loves this genre, and especially those that like this time period.


**I received a free copy of this book from Howard Books, for my honest review.  The opinions expressed here are my own."